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Medina to pick firm to design Canal Basin improvements
State awarded village $1.345 million for project as part of $4.5 million NY Forward grant
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Canal Basin parking lot will redesigned as part of a $1.345 million grant from the state. The Medina Village Board is expected to hire an engineering firm on Monday to work on the design of the project. The new lot will have less asphalt and more green space.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board expects to hire an engineering firm on Monday to design improvements in the Canal Basin, a project with a goal to become a “waterfront gateway” with more green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities.
Six firms on Wednesday presented proposals to Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski, Village Trustee Jeff Wagner and members of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program – Chris Busch, Mary Lewis and Kathy Blackburn.
The redesigned basin was awarded $1.345 million of the $4.5 million from the state to Medina in the NY Forward grant. The state finalized eight projects for the $4.5 million on May 17, 2024.
The transformed parking lot received the largest grant of the eight projects.
The redesign of the basin parking lot also will include two direct-current fast chargers for electric vehicles, each with two charging spots. The state awarded Medina $245,184 in a separate grant for those chargers with National Grid also chipping in $73,000.
Rendering from Empire State Development and Governor’s Office: The Canal Basin parking lot along the Erie Canal will be turned into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities as part of the NY Forward grant in Medina. This is not the final design for the parking lot.
The basin will become more pedestrian friendly and also more inviting to boaters. The village is looking to upgrade the entry drive from Main Street; enhance the pedestrian walkway extending from Main Street, across rear building facades, to East Center Street alleyway; add a gazebo for shade and cover; expand flexible greenspace areas for programming with amenities including seating tables, benches, bike racks, shade trees and native plantings; and add pedestrian walkways with decorative, permeable pavers.
Chris Busch, a member of the LWRP committee, said the village created a vision for the basin about a decade ago through a waterfront redevelopment plan. The state funding will give the initiative significant investment and help make the project a reality.
The firm picked by the Village Board will present options for how to spend that grant, and the community will have an opportunity to weigh in during public meetings, Busch said.
The state will also need to approve the projects for the basin. The project is expected to go out to bid to contractors next year.
“This is only the beginning of the process,” Busch said about meeting with the firms on Wednesday.
This area of the Canal Basin lot will be part of the project. The village expects to add more green space and trees to the area, and will take out about 15 to 20 parking spaces, leaving about 70.
Rivals will host McKinley in a key B1 Division regular season finale game Friday at Albion
A share of the division title and a home game for the upcoming sectional playoffs will be on the line as Albion/Medina hosts McKinley at 7 p.m. Friday at Albion in a key B1 Division season finale.
Currently Albion/Medina and McKinley are tied for second place at 5-1 just behind 6-1 West Seneca East which has finished its B1 schedule.
An Albion/Medina win would earn the Rivals a share of the B1 title and the division’s No. 2 seed for the sectionals. The Rivals would be the No. 2 seed having lost 35-34 to West Seneca East which would be the No. 1 seed. The No. 2 seed would host the No. 3 seed from the B2 Division in the opening round of the sectionals.
However, a win by McKinley would earn the Macks a share of the title and the B1’s No. 1 seed as they defeated West Seneca East 24-13. West Seneca East would then be the B1’s No. 2 seed and Albion/Medina would drop to the No. 3 seed because of the Rivals loss to East. The Rivals would then open the sectionals on the road at the B2 Division’s No. 2 seed.
McKinley’s balanced attack includes leading rushers Kylin Williams (887 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Tashawn Henley (338 yards, 5 TDs), quarterbacks Kyion Minter (857 yards passing, 8 TDs) and Catrell Rhoades (301 yards, 3 TDs) and receiver Tayon Mullen (17 catches foor 528 yards, 7 TDs).
The Rivals rushing attack has been led by Elijah Doxey (591 yds., 8 TDs) and Jayzon Wills (471 yds, 4 TDs).
Quarterback Preston Woodworth has passed for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 5 TDs. His main receivers have been Noah Harrison (28 catches for 552 yards, 7 TDs) and Doxey (26 catches for 495 yds., 4 TDs).
Friday’s other B1 game will have Lew-Port at Maryvale. The interdivisional games will have Sweet Home at Amherst, Williamsville East at Williamsville South, West Seneca East at West Seneca West and Eden/North Collins at Lake Shore.
B1 Division Standings (Division and Overall records) – West Seneca East 6-1, 6-1; Albion/Medina 5-1, 6-1; McKinley 5-1, 6-1; Williamsville South 4-3, 4-3; Maryvale 3-3, 4-3; Lake Shore 2-5, 2-5; Amherst 1-6, 1-6; Lew-Port 0-6, 0-7.
Yacht Club recognizes long-time secretary for service
Provided photo
POINT BREEZE – The Point Breeze Yacht Club held its annual members meeting on Saturday at the Godfrey’s Pond Clubhouse at which time Commodore Bob Bialkowski recognized Marietta Schuth of Kendall for her many years serving as secretary.
The Point Breeze Yacht Club was founded in 1973 with the idea of encouraging boating, aquatic sports and general social and recreational purposes. The club is based at the Orleans County Marine Park.
Strong start for Green at tourney in Korea
Photo LPGA and Golf Channel – Melanie Green at the BMW Championship in South Korea.
Half a world away Medina’s Melanie Green is off to a strong start at the LPGA Tour’s BMW Championship Tournament which being played in South Korea.
Green had a solid 4 under par 68 first round on Thursday (Korea time) and is just two shots back of the leader heading into today’s second round.
She opened strong with birdies on 1 and 2 and also finished strong with birdies on 17 and 18.
In all Green had 6 birdies on the day and only two bogies. The other birdies came on 9 and 12 and the bogies on 10 and 15.
The tournament continues today (Friday Korea time) after which the field will be cut for the final two championship deciding rounds on the weekend.
The tournament begins a three week LPGA Tour Far East swing for Green who will also be competing in tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.
Medina committee working on 18th annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 28
Provided photo
MEDINA – The Parade of Lights Planning Committee is working on the details for the 18th annual lighted parade in Medina.
This year’s parade will be on Nov. 28 and will cap the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in the village.
The committee is shown at its meeting on Wednesday night at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Pictured left include Kevin DeHollander, Sue DeHollander, Cindy Robinson, Barb Hancock, Jim Hancock, Gail Miller and Reinhard Rogowski. Back row: Kathie Valley, Nicole Bensley, Todd Bensley and Mollie Mark.
The committee urges local businesses, organizations and residents to prepare a float for the parade or consider being a sponsor for the event. Entries forms to be in the parade are due by Nov. 25. Click here to see the Olde Tyme Christmas website for more information.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help with the parade, contact parade chairman Jim Hancock at (585) 798-2118.
Hrovat has decades of experience, community service to prepare her as Yates town supervisor
Editor:
With early voting beginning October 24th and election day right around the corner, it is important for voters to know who is on the ballot in their community.
In the Town of Yates, there is an election for the Yates Town Supervisor, and Sue Hrovat will be on the ballot. Sue (and many others) passed petitions by going door to door, discussing issues, and meeting with registered Republicans throughout the Town of Yates.
The petition process is unique and indicative of democracy in our country. It provides any person the ability and opportunity to pass petitions to force a primary for a political party’s line if they are not nominated by a political party, in accordance with state laws and filing deadlines.
Our democracy also provides the ability for candidates to seek elected office as a write-in candidate. This is one of the great parts of our democracy—the ability to give voters a choice. I have no problem with this; I have personally been elected as a write-in candidate myself.
Having a choice is healthy for democracy. While having a choice is vital, selecting a candidate with proven leadership is equally important, which is why Sue Hrovat stands out. She is highly qualified, motivated, and capable to lead the Town of Yates as Town Supervisor, possessing the exact experience and expertise needed to manage town government.
Sue has been involved in our community for decades, taking on roles in various organizations well before she ever sought elected office. I went to school with her children, and looking back, she was always a reliable and steady presence in the community—attributes that continue today.
Balancing community needs with regulations, labor laws, and financial constraints is a demanding and often thankless responsibility. I am thankful we have someone like Sue Hrovat willing to step up, and I am proud to support her as our next Yates Town Supervisor.
Respectfully,
James C. White
Lyndonville
VFW in Medina led Stop 22 Walk to highlight suicide prevention for veterans
Photo and information courtesy of Deborah Berry, VFW Auxiliary treasurer
MEDINA – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post and Auxiliary members from the VFW Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina held a Stop 22 Walk on Oct. 8 to increase the public awareness of suicide prevention for veterans.
The members walked 22 minutes along Medina Business District. The 22 minutes represents the daily average of 22 veterans who die by suicide.
A veteran in any type of need or service is encouraged to reach out to our VFW Post 1483 at 216 East Center Street in Medina. Help is also available at the National Veteran Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-8255.
Participants were VFW 1483 Post members Patrick Little, Mike Owczarczak,and Jim Nudd; VFW Aux members Dave and Debbie Berry, Tammy Pogel, Stacy Newell, Jada Burgess, Thomas Burgess Jr., and Thomas Burgess Sr.; and community member Don Dubois.
Holley celebrates ‘spectacular’ new mural by Public Square
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Holley community celebrated a new mural today. Mary Jo Whitman, a 1995 Holley graduate, created the “Holley is Home” mural on the Geddes Street side of the Heath and Heath law offices at 66 Public Square.
Whitman said she appreciated the chance to reconnect with her hometown. She now lives in Batavia.
Mary Jo Whitman stands next to the mural she painted on the Heath and Heath law offices.
Whitman was approached by Holley mayor Mark Bower to paint the mural. He wanted it to feature local landmarks. Whitman came to Holley and photographed landmarks, printed out the photos and visualized how the mural could look.
Whitman painted the Salisbury Fountain, the Holley Waterfalls, the gazebo by the canal, the old Holley High School and the block of storefronts in the Public Square that incudes Sam’s Diner.
“She did a most spectacular job,” Bower said during the mural dedication today.
He praised Whitman for engaging with many residents while she was working on the mural.
The mayor noted the community added other new murals recently. Arthur Barnes painted a large agricultural scene on the back of the Community Free Library in 2024. Tony Barry painted a large-scale Erie Canal-themed mural on the back of the library in 2023.
Barry, a retired Holley teacher, was one of Whitman’s teachers when she was a Holley student. Barry and Barnes both attended the mural dedication today.
Doug Heath, owner of the Heath and Heath building, said Whitman did an amazing job. Doug is the fourth generation of Heaths to be a lawyer locally. His great-grandfather, Edward Heath started in Bergen in 1895, followed by his son Mark and then Doug’s father, Robert Heath. The family has been in Holley for more than 100 years. Doug has been working as a lawyer in Holley for 41 years.
Mary Jo Whitman thanked the Holley mayor and village clerk Rainey Losee for their support of the project. Losee was a key partner in getting a grant application completed through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (Go Art!). The project was funded with a $7,500 grant through Go Art! That money came from the New York State Council on the Arts.
Whitman thanked Clarence Moyer for loaning her use of a lift to paint the high parts of the mural.
Whitman signed the lower right corner of the mural, in a final piece of the painting.
Medina scores 5 set volleyball victory
Medina outlasted visiting Health Sciences from Buffalo in five sets 27-25, 25-23, 24-26, 22-25, 15-9 in a regular season ending non league volleyball match this evening.
Grace Goodrich and Cassidy Janas both had 3 aces, Maya Anderson 2 kills and 2 blocks, Hailey Moore 3 aces and 1 kill, Sam Heschke 2 aces and 1 kill and Jenna Cecchini 2 aces and 1 kill to lead the way for the Mustangs.
Lyndonville/Barker and Kendall both score Section V boys soccer playoff victories
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville/Barker’s Jesus Reyes Rosario works to get the ball up field against Pembroke defenders Gavin Liss and Patrick Reeves during this evening’s sectional game at Barker won by Lnydonville/Barker.
A pair of second half goals powered No. 8 seed Lyndonville/Barker to a 2-0 win over No. 9 Pembroke in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 boys soccer playoff game this evening at Barker.
Drew LaGreca and Iziah Rodriquez scored the goals both coming off assists from Jesus Reyes Rosario.
Lyndonville/Barker next visits top seeded East Rochester on Saturday.
Kendall 2, Perry 0
No. 9 Kendall likewise blanked host No. 8 Perry 2-0 in a Section V Class C2 contest.
Brenden Eichas and Andrew Cole scored the goals for the Eagles as CJ D’Agostino had an assist.
Kendall next visits top seeded Geneseo on Saturday.
Section VI Class B
Southwestern 4, Newfane 3
No. 6 Southwestern edged visiting No. 11 Newfane in a Section VI Class B opening round game on Tuesday.
Dwayne Dawes scored 2 goals and Brody Miller 1 for Newfane.
Lyndonville/Barker’s Maddox Smith works to keep the ball away from Pembroke’s Lincoln Landis.
Contributed Photo – Kendall’s Andrew Cole, who scored one of the Eagles goals, puts a shot on net during this evening’s sectional win over host Perry.
